I'd say it might depend on your context. Some people say that religion has gone downhill since age of enlightenment. You could even trace it back to tthe Renaissance.

I think religion and morality are fairly stable overall. The rise of the US had more to do with the dovetailing of the Industrial Revolution and abundant resources. Sucess was a mix of some great effort, but also some lazy exploitation. Those days are over, and what remains is a bloated America delusional about its glory days. The descent will be so protracted that a lot of us desperate people will get bitter and be at each others throats.

China will eventually run the same cycle of growth, mistakes and redemption. Their current and enormous investment in Africa will realize much success, but also be marred by some terrible exploitations.